We are all aware at how good regular exercise can be for your body, but do we know the benefits regular exercise can have on your mental health? Exercise has been known to have a positive impact on depression, anxiety, and disorders such as ADHD. It can also improve your memory, help you sleep better, and relieve stress. As well as generally improving your mood with the endorphins it releases!
Helpguide.org have shared the ways in which regular exercise can help those struggling with mental health issues.
Depression: It has been said that exercise can have the same effect on people as anti-depressants, but without the side effects. Exercise promotes changes in the brain, and also creates patterns that promote feelings of calmness.
Anxiety: Exercise is known to relief tension, boosts physical and mental energy and also releases endorphins that enhance well-being. You’ll improve your physical condition and also might be able to interrupt the flow of constant worries in your head.
Stress: When you’re stressed, your body can feel tense and your muscles tight. You may struggle with insomnia, stomach pains and headaches, these things might cause even more stress, causing a battle between your mind and body. Exercising can help you break the cycle, physical exercise can help to relax the muscles and relieve tension in the body. The mind and body are so closely connected, when your body starts feeling better, your mind might too.
ADHD: exercising regularly can significantly reduce the symptoms of ADHD and can improve concentration, motivation, memory and mood. Exercise boosts the brains levels immediately and therefore affects focus and attention positively.
Our health and wellbeing lead Chris Mottershaw said that when we exercise we release endorphins into our body, this is our bodies feel good hormone, giving us the sense of ‘euphoria’. This has been linked with reducing stress, improving our mental health. Did you also know the release of endorphins through physical activity has been proven to reduce our bodies perception of pain in a similar way to how morphine affects our body?
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